Page 75 of Expose Me

“Be a jerk,” Lowell mumbled, earning him another glare. I whacked him on the arm but otherwise ignored him.

“You don’t have to shift out of your true form for me. I love you, whatever form you’re in.”

“I know.” Zey gave me an understanding smile. “I’m not changing myself to be with you—I actually feel more like myself when I’m like this. I feel more like the real me when I’m with you.”

All my insides turned into a gooey mess, and I had to clear my throat to keep my tears at bay. Zey planted a gentle kiss on my forehead and Lowell gagged.

The teasing gag helped break the emotional tension, and I chuckled. A few weeks ago, I would’ve been gagging right along with him and sharing a look of disgust at a display like that.

“I’ll go get you more food,” Zey said, turning to leave.

“I’m not hungry,” I called after him, but he was already gone. Knowing there was no arguing with him when he decided I needed sustenance, I shrugged and showed Lowell into my room.

“So ... crazy couple of weeks.” He bugged his eyes out before sitting at the table and helping himself to some of the mountain of food I hadn’t eaten a few hours ago.

“Yeah, you’re telling me.” I sat opposite him and picked at some of the fruit. Maybe Icouldeat again.

“I’m really glad you’re OK, Sky. I was really worried for a while there.”

“You and me both.” I sighed and we shared a rare, serious look. I popped a grape into my mouth and spoke around it. “Hey, how’d you find me?”

“I’ve been in and out the whole time you were sleeping off your bender,” he teased. “It would’ve made my life a hell of a lot easier if cell phones worked through portals. But no, I had to scamper back and forth between all the chaos on Earth and making sure your ass wasn’t dead.”

“I don’t follow.” We were in Vuulectus, in some random family’s home. How did he even know where to find me?

“Your boyfriend is infuriatingly demanding and unreasonable when he sets his mind to something.”

“Yeah, trust me, I know.” I chuckled, processing having Zey referred to as my boyfriend. We’d only known each other a few weeks, so it was a bit odd. Yet, at the same time, the term seemed too trivial to be applied to the depth of the connection we had.

“Apparently, he flipped his shit when he came to and realized how badly injured you were. He sent dozens of his buddies through the portal with very specific instructions before having you brought to the nearest ... er ...” He looked around at the strange walls and organic-looking furniture. “House?”

“Dwelling?” I supplied.

“Abode?”

“Domicile?”

“Anyway.” Lowell chuckled. “He had you brought here while his minions rushed back with a bed and every conceivable item, magical and non, for attending to wounds and healing. One of his buddies was sent to find me.”

“Really?” Considering the animosity, I found that hard to believe.

“Yep. Said I was the only one he could trust. I guess because I helped you escape at Sea and Serpentine’s ball. And probably also because I’m awesome and you told him all about my awesomeness.”

“No, that can’t be it.” I frowned hard at the fruit platter and scratched my head for extra exaggeration. Lowell threw a pastry at me, and it bounced off my cheek.

“Why didn’t he just take me back through the portal and have them take care of me on Earth?” I asked.

“He said he couldn’t trust anyone. Everything was still chaotic, their True Leader hadn’t arrived in the capital yet, and last he knew, you were both still being hunted.”

Aww! He was protecting me.

Lowell sighed. “Judging by the sappy look on your face, I’m probably going to regret telling you this, but dude’s been out of his mind for days. He refused to leave your side, threatened anyone who came in to treat you with slow and painful death, and was just generally feral about the whole situation. I think he really fucking loves you.”

“Awww!” I couldn’t hold it in that time.

“You love him too, huh?”

I nodded my head. “He’s my mate, Lowell. I never thought I’d even have ...”

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